World’s First Exhibit on Tuscarora Nation has Grand Opening at NY Power Authority’s Niagara Power Project, April 29

LEWISTON—New York Power Authority (NYPA) President and Chief Executive Officer Richard M. Kessel and Tuscarora Nation Chief Stuart Patterson of the Beaver Clan, today hosted the Grand Opening for the world’s first exhibit on the Tuscarora Nation. The permanent exhibit, owned by the nation, is installed at the Power Vista, the visitors center for NYPA’s Niagara Power Project.

The exhibit—“The Times of the Tuscarora Nation”—is a timeline of the nation from 800 A.D. to the present and includes artwork, beadwork and other examples of the Tuscarora culture within display cases flanked by wall panels describing Tuscarora life and history.

“This remarkable exhibit shares with the community and all who visit the Power Authority’s Power Vista, the heritage and beautiful cultural artistry of the Tuscarora Nation,” said Richard M. Kessel, president and chief executive officer, NYPA. “The exhibit and many other projects, such as the Tuscarora Scholarship program open to the nation’s high school seniors, demonstrate the growing partnership forged between the Power Authority and our neighbors the Tuscarora Nation during the relicensing of the Niagara project in 2007.”

Speaking about the theme and historic importance of the new exhibit, Tuscarora Nation Chief Kenneth Patterson of the Wolf Clan said, "It makes for an opportunity for people to realize after all these years to see how close the Tuscarora are to nature."

The Grand Opening began with the traditional Thanksgiving Address given in the Tuscarora language. A recording of the address is also part of the exhibit. President Kessel, Chief Stuart Patterson and Neil Patterson, Sr. of the Exhibit Committee, gave welcome greetings.

The opening program featured many cultural activities including poetry readings by Tuscarora students, a dance performance by Iroquois Indian Dancers and a flute selection by Daniel Hill. The evening’s refreshments included Tuscarora cuisine. A snowsnake presentation was also part of the evening’s festivities.

In 2008 and 2009, the Exhibit Committee posted flyers and posters requesting assistance from the members of the Tuscarora Nation to participate in the committee work. In addition, the committee requested help from the Tuscarora people in identifying and providing objects and props suitable for exhibition.

Hadley Exhibits, of Buffalo, designed and constructed the exhibit under contract with the Tuscarora Nation. NYPA contributed $150,000 toward the development and construction of the exhibit. The exhibit is located on the lower level of the Power Vista which also contains a feature on the construction of the Niagara project.

In addition to the new Tuscarora exhibit, the Power Vista’s attractions include displays and interactive exhibits relating to the production of electricity, energy efficiency and the area’s history, plus spectacular views from the observation deck, 350 feet above the Niagara River Gorge. Parking and admission at the Power Vista, located at 5777 Lewiston Road in Lewiston, are always free.

To obtain information on other special events, or details pertaining to the variety of educational presentations available to all age groups at the Power Vista throughout the year, visit NYPA on the Web at www.nypa.gov/vc/niagara.htm or call 716-286-6661.

About NYPA:

■ The New York Power Authority uses no tax money
or state credit. It finances its operations through the sale of
bonds and revenues earned in large part through sales of
electricity. ■ NYPA is a leader in promoting energy
efficiency, new energy technologies and electric transportation
initiatives. ■ It is the nation's largest state public power organization, with 17 generating facilities in various parts of New York
State and more than 1,400 circuit-miles of transmission lines. ■
More than 80 percent of the electricity it produces is clean renewable
hydropower. Its lower-cost power production and electricity
purchases support hundreds of thousands of jobs throughout the state.
■For more information, www.nypa.gov.